swizz beats

More than half a million raised to aid funding of access to the arts and more for children in the Bronx.

Bronx Children’s Museum (BCM) is a children’s museum without walls, set to have a definite home in 2018. The museum serves almost 18,000 Bronx residents annually, seeking to inspire children from infancy to 9 years of age. This past Tuesday, the Bronx Children’s Museum managed to raise more than $520,000. The museum’s program aims to help children “Dream Big”, introducing the children of the Bronx to music, art and more. The Museum board held a big event for 350 guests at the Tribeca Rooftop.

Bronx native and BCM board member Sunny Hostin, co-host of ABC’s The View, was the emcee of the museum’s first ever gala. Guests were treated to a performance by Bronx-born jazz pianist and composer, Dr. Valerie Capers. Swizz Beatz was also present DJing the event.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Performer Swizz Beatz speaks on stage at the Bronx Children’s Museum Gala at Tribeca Rooftop on May 2, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bronx Children’s Museum)

The event honored Richard Abrons and Bronx natives Kerry Washington and Rafael Collado on their commitment to the Bronx and the completion of the Children’s Museum building – allowing for the expansion of existing programs throughout the borough. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. presented Hope Harley, President of the Bronx Children’s Museum with the Museum’s first ever Imagination award for her dedication in keeping the museum alive and moving forward for 11 years. Diaz also pledged a gift of $763,000 toward the completion of the renovation of the building.

“What this Museum has the possibility to do,” honoree Kerry Washington told the crowd, “is to say to our children of the Bronx, we matter, your own community matters, this place that you call home matters and because of that, possibilities are endless and you can go anywhere and be excited about who you are today and who you will be tomorrow.”

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Guest Auctioneer Tracy Morgan, Honoree Kerry Washington and Master of Ceremonies Sunny Hostin attendsthe Bronx Children’s Museum Gala at Tribeca Rooftop on May 2, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bronx Children’s Museum)